Pressure core drilling apparatus



J. C. STOKEMS PRESSURE CORE DRILLING APPARATUS n Aug. 7, 1945.;

Filed May 11, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 1 removing the same undersubstantially the same conditions in which Patented Aug. 7, v194.5

- t z,ss1,s4 5 PRESSURE com.: DRILLING APPARATUS Jann-c. stores, Houston, rex.,

RolleiI Bit Company, Houston,

ration of Texas Application May 1l, 194/2, Serial No. 442,399

i clams. (cl. c55-12) 'Inis invention relates in general to core drilling apparatus and has for its general object the provision of `such an apparatus which will be capable of taking a core from a formation and to the surface of the ground it existed in the formation.

In the ordinary core drilling methods and apparatus it' isA customary to use a drill which cuts an annular path receive the core into i the core is broken oil and removed to the surface of the well. Such conventional apparatus, however, makes no provision for retaining or saving the gases or liquids which may be given oi! by the core as the pressure upon the corer is reduced when the apparatus is withdrawn toward the surface oi the ground. p It is therefore a primaryl object of this invention' to provide an apparatus in which'a core barrel whichreceives the core at the bottom of a bore hole will be kept substantially under bottom hole pressure while the core barrel and'cor-v ing'apparatusis being removed from the well. j Another obiect-/of this invention is to provide such an apparatus in which any gas or liduid given oil by the core as thepressurev within the 'core barrel isreduced may be saved for further analysis. L

Another object of this invention is t'o provide auch an apparatus in which provision yis made for draining the slush from a drillstem on which the apparatus is carried so that when the drill stem is withdrawn from thewell there will be no danger 'of having to pull a wet string.

Y Another object of this invention is to provide A mi apparatus of the character described in 'which' after a core has been taken it may he hermeticaiiy sealed up so as to prevent it from l my of its constituents or so as to prevent it from being con mi.. hated by contact with foign bodies while it is being removed from a4 (Ether objects and advantages ofA this inves 45 tion will home apparent from the following description tai/:en in nneotion with the 'accompanning drawings wherein are set .forth by way o-iiiiistration esempio two embodiments.

of this invention the dra:

and which is adapted to interior,7 after whichl sive when' the parts are l welded into vsenribied. @site ef.; i shows a iongi'tudinal cross section y through the upper 'portion ora coring appa- Yratus constructed in accordance with this invention.

, the I apparatus lassigner to Reed Tex., a corpo- Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating the lower portion of the same apparatus.

Fig. 3 shows a transverse cross along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a transverse cross section taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

, `Fig. 5 is a view on a. reduced scale showing.

l to 4 incluthe. apparatus illustrated in Figs.

in position for taking a core. Y

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the parts in the position which theyA occupy after'a corey has been taken and prior to the time that the core `has been removed from the apparatus; the core being hermetically sealed when the parts are in the position shown.

Fig. I is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing thelower portion of the ydevice with the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. l but illustrating a slightly modied formof the inventiOn. Y.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 2 butshowing 'the lower portion of the apparatus -illustrated 25 in Fig.

l0 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 with the parts thereof in the position which they occupy during the taking of -a core.

Fig. l1 is la view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the device illustrated in Figs. v8, 9 Iand' l0 in the' position which they'occupy after the core barrel and the core contained therein have been hermetically sealed for withdrawal to ythe surface of the ground.

` Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but illustrating the lower portion of the device shown in Referring mt to the form iuust'rated in Figs.

ll to 7 inclusive, there is shown a drill collar l having a special sub f2 threaded to its lower end, sub containing a nap valve 3 pivoted at l and adapted to close downwardly and tobe urged downwardly toward closed position at all times by means of a spring- 5. Access to this valve may be had by means of placeafter the parts lhave been asthe plug and the mounting of the dan valve this sub is provided with another lateral a check valve l adapted to-prevent the escape of fluid outwardly through this lateral opening. This check valve is adapted to be inserted through the opening left by the removal of the plug i, and threaded into place by means ofa l d `section taken n aplug 6 which is preferably opening in which is disclosed` of r having a lock nut I8 for shoulder thereon I nection 23.

of a removable plug 8.

` Secured to the lower end oi' the sub 2 is a core bit,9 which may be of any conventional construction, having digging blades I and a core cutting head I I therein. This core cutting head II has an, upwardly facing internal shoulder I2 adapted to receive the lower end oi' a seated-in-head core' barrel I3. This core barrel likewise may be of substantially conventional construction. i

Mounted on the upper end of the seated-ina piston 38, the same being threaded to the upper end oi' the connector tube as shown at el having lateral vopenings from its hollow interior i n to its exterior below the piston-like part thereof as shown at 38. 'Ihese openings are normally i closed on their inner ends by means of a sleeve head core barrel is the core barrel head I4 havmg a passageway therein communicating between the interior of the core barrel and the exterior of the upper end thereof and controlled by means of a check valve I5 that is adapted to permit ilow from the core barrel upwardly into the space between the core barrel and the drill collar but to prevent flow from the space between the core barrel and the drill collar downwardly into the core barrel.

The core barrel is suspended by means oi a threaded fitting I6 threaded into the upper end the core barrel head Il as shown at I1 and holding it therein. The upper end of this iltting I6 is provided with a laterally extending ilange I9 adapted to receive rubber bearing rings 2.0 carried Within a shell 2| which is in turn threaded to the lower end of a socket member 22 adapted to receive the releasing tool presently to be described. y The socket member22 the upper end thereof each of which hasan enlargement on its lower has a socket formed inl with overliarlging upperv n edges adapted to receive the automatic releasing in place` upper end of the valve slidable in the piston 38 and this sleeve valve is urged upwardly at all times by means of the spring that is disposed within the piston member and bears against the lower end of the sleeve valve.

The upper end Lof the sleeve valve is limited in its movement by contact with the fitting di that is '.I'hreadedlv connected to the upper end of the `fitting 8l is a tubular member or cylinder de.

this cylinder having an internal diameter of a l sizeadapted to receive the piston` 36 and having lateral openings therefrom as shown at N and si@ adjacent its upper end. The upper end of this cylinder I3 is threaded to receive a special substitutehaving a bore therethrough with a groove Aat onek point in the bore to receive a U-shaped packing ring 41, the bore and the packing ring being oi' such diameter as to. in turn receive the hydraulic conductor 'tube di. 'Ihe U-shaped packing ring is so disposed as to prevent the ilow of fluid downwardly between the sub and the hydraulic conductor tube 4 2. The

'I vupper end of the sub 46 is preferably connected end with an outwardly turned hook-shaped part 25 adapted to'enter and engage within theso'cket in thel socket member '22. The amount by which this releasing connection can enter the socket-in the member 22 is limited by means yof stops 26 provided by the enlargements just mentioned on the vlower ends of the arms 24. These stops 26- are also of such form that they ilare slightly outwardly beyond the regular outer diameter oi the remainder of the releasing connection 23.

Secured, to the upper end of the releasingy connection by means of a threaded connection 21 is a iitting 28 vhaving a downwardly facing by which a sealing ring 29 is held against theupper end of the releasing consomewhat smaller diameter than the releasing s connection 23,this sealing ring 29 will provide `an upwardly facing sealing surface.

Secured tothe tting 28 by Welding 2li or the like and extending upwardly therefrom is a con- On the upper end of the connector tube II is.

Inasmuch as the fitting 28 is oi'i 33 when the parts are inthe Y .to move downwardly to the nular space l wardly so as to release scribed, the device is placed in a well with the parts in the position which they occupy in Figs. land 2. The drilling then proceeds in the usual manner with the core barrel seated in thedrilling bit 9v and having its upper end suspended by the various vparts set forth including the automatic releasing connection. lI'he automatic releasing connection is supported by meansoi' the connector tube 3| that is suspended from the piston."the lower end' of which engages the fitting position illustrated.

After the drilling has proceeded .to the point where a suitable core has been received within the core barrely I3, a weighted plug is dropped into the drill stem and moves downwardly until it seats within the sleeve valve 39 as shown at de. This plug may be weighted ii' desired by means of a rod 50 secured thereto by means of a pin 5I. This plug serves to close the passage through the sleeve valve 39 and when fluid pressure is applied from above will cause this sleeve valve position shown in Fig. 6 so that iluid is then permitted to pass outwardly through the passages 38 in the piston into the anpiston. Passage of :duid under pressure into this space will cause the pistonto move upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6. .As the piston the hook-shaped parts socket ontheupper end ot theme-m- The core barrel will then .drop back 2! from the ber 22.

within the cylinder 43 and below the core removed in the downwardly'until it rests u n'the nap valve 3. Meantime the sealing ring upwardly and come in contact with the shoulder at-the upper end of the countersink 34 in the flttingg. Thus the space within th drill collar which contains the core barrel will be hermetically sealed against the 'iiow of any pressure-fluid .therefrom l When the piston has moved upwardly` to the position Vshown in the passages M will hav'e been uncovered so that slush .flowing downwardly through the drill stem-may pass outwardly to the exterior of the drill stem. Thus circulation may be maintained even though the lfluid may not through the drillingbit.

28 will have moved' Fig. 6 it will be observed-thatv pass downwardly the tubularl member lower end ofthe body is a washer Si and bethe upper end of the fit- With the parts in the position illustrated in Figs.'6 and 'I the device is then dra/.wn to the surface of the ground. Thereupon the plug B may be removed and a suitable bleeder valve 52 connected to this opening and provided with means for opening the check valve 1 so that pressure iluid eithergas or liquid may be bled from the interior of the drill collar. Such pressure fluid -may be saved and analyzed so as to determine y the content of gas orliquid within the core when .it is taken under its pressure as it exists at the bottom of a hole.

After the pressure iluid has been thus bled orf the apparatus may be disassembled and the usual manner.

It will be seen that due to the fact that the opening `from the interior of the drill stem is provided through thepassages 38 in the piston and 4I in the cylinder 43, slush may `drain from the drill stem during the time it is being removed from the well and there is no necessity for pulling a "wet string of pipe.

Referring now to the modication appearing in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, the operation is very much the same as that heretofore described in connection with the form shown in Figs. 1 to 'l inclusive.-

The lower portion of the apparatus is identical with that illustrated in the description thereof be repeated.

In this form, the fitting 28 isthreaded directly into the core barrel head i4 and the automatically Figs. l to "I inclusive and will for that reason not releasable connection Il is entirely omitted. The

sealing ring 29 'which may be` substantially the moved upwardly away y tubular member 5I thence purpose of same as that illustrated in Fig. 2 is mounted diil'ctly on the upper end of the core barrel head Extending upwardly from the fitting 28is a hollow piston tube 53 having lateral openings 54 therefrom adjacent its lower end.` This tube passes upwardly through the fitting l! that is secured tothe upper end of the drill collar iand is secured at its upper end to a sleeve B6 which forms the body of a mechanical latching device whereby 'the par s are initially latched in the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9. This sleeve $8 has laterally opened slots 5'! therein in which are pivotally mounted latching fingers il adapted when held in the position illustrated in Fig. 8 to engage within an annular tubular member 60 that is carried on the uppery end of the sub 5B. These latching fingers 58 are normally lheld in the positionillustrated in.

Fig. 8 by means of asleeve il that is urged up groove 69 .within the thereby, a chamber are arranged in 'the usual manner.

flap valve v'will close thus vbe moved inwardly openings .l which' extend through the walls of I0. Bearing against the tween this washer and ting Il is interposed acoil spring B6 which serves at all times to urge the latching head I8 and the hollow piston tube I3 in an upward direcion.

In operation, as previously described in connection with the first embodiment set forth, they Figs. 8 and 9- and the. core drilling proceeds in After a core has been taken, there is dropped into the drill stem a tubular member 61 adapted to come into contact'withzthe upper surfaces of the latching fingers. 58 and-move them to their released position as illustrated in Fig. 11. When this occurs the spring 6B is released and the tension thereon causes the upwardmovement of the latching head, the tubular member I3, and the As hereinbefore described, when the core barrel is moved upwardly past the flap valve l this fluid from within the drill stem downwardly past the nap valve. The spring B8 is also of such construction that it willmove the entire device upwardly until-the sealing ring 2l engages the lower j y55 forming. a seal therewith now o! any pressure nuid end ot the tting and preventing the from within the drill fitting l5.

In the meantime, the'packing 63 will have been the drill stem may drainl raised, such fluid flowing ll at the lower end of the upwardly through the flttingY 55 and out that any fluid within as the drill stem Ais through the openings annular space within the through the passages 6|.

When the device has been brought to the surface of the ground the fluid may be drained off as hereinbefore described and analyzed for the finding out Just what the content of have been when it was taken under the bottom of the core may the pressure conditions existingat the well. Illustrated in Fig. l2 more in detail is' the valve 52 by which this pressure fluid may be drawn off. It will he seen that this valve .includes a pin t@ operated properly connected so as. to unseat the check valve 1 and permit the pressure nuid to be withdrawn. The core may then be removed in the usual manner.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a device has been provided which is capable of carrying out all of the sought by this invention.

Having described my invention, I claim: 1. Ina coring apparatus, la. core drill, a core barrel within said core drill to receive a core out above said core drill and carried thereby and adapted to receive said core barrel after the taking of a core, ka piston connected to the upper fend 0f means initially preventing the application of fluid pressure ilowing through said device to' said piston, and'means for opening said valve to cause the application oi'fluid pressure to said to raise said barrel into said chamber, and means the pOsitiOnS Shown in preventing any now of stem upwardly through the from the passages 64 so by a handwheei se and adapted to after the parts have been objects and advantages said corebarrel, valve piston y y ber and the 3. lIn a ccring apparatus, a core drill, a core.

i'or closing both ends of said chamber barrel has been raised thereinto.

2. In a corina apparatus, a core drilLla core barrel within said core drill to receive a core out thereby, a chamber above said drill and carried thereby and adapted to receive said core barrel when said after the taking ot a. core, alpiston connected to barrel has been'raised thereinto, and means for` releasing said core barrel from said piston when said core barrel has been raised into said chamends of said chamber closed.

barrel within said core drill to receive a core cut thereby, a chamber above saidldrill yand carried thereby and adapted to receive said core barrel thereby,

alter the taking of a core, a spring for met said core barrel upwardly into said cher. means initially latching said lcore barrel down. and means for releasing said latching means to permit said spring to force said core barrel upwardly into saidy chamber.

4. In a coring apparatus, a core drill, a core barrel within said core drill to receive a core cut a. chamber above said core drill and carried thereby and adapted to receive said core barrel after the taking of a core. means for forcing saidcore barrel upwardly into said chamber, means iorpreventing the operation of said rst means -untilit is desired to have it operate, and means adapted to be passed downwardly through the drill stem for rendering 'said second means inoperative sok as to permitl operation of said irst means, and means for closing both ends of said chamber when said barrelv has been raised thereinto.

' JOHN C. STORES. 

